SVR Autumn Steam Gala on 23 -25 September 2011

43106 was being shunted back into the yard when the 9.50 from Kidderminster arrived at Bridgnorth. There was a rumour that it had been failed.

How long is 828 at the SVR?

 

I was there today and it was crammed on all trains standing on 828 this does spoil the enjoyment slightly of the event maybe they should look to run the event over 2 weekends to make the passenger number on the train more exceptable.
The other is do they make the event with less visiting locos to manage the passenger level i did not see any reason to have tornado at the gala.

 

I was there today too and had a very enjoyable day - except that by late morning all the through trains were overflowing, it was worse than the tube in rush-hour for the whole of the rest of the day!!!!

Well done to the SVR for pulling in the punters like that, but they need to find a way to stop the overcrowding. At about 3.00 they were having to ask people at Highley not to board the southbound train because there was no room on it - but the next one wasn't for over an hour. And when it came that was overflowing too.

Still, the watching side of it was very good, a great selection of loco's, stock and some really nice locations. I'll go back when it's not a gala.

 

Having seen the pictures of 828 on here I now see why it's packed to the rafters !!!

Maybe this engine should do a few more tours.. Kwvr would look nice !

 

Excellent day at the SVR on friday, 828 a superb loco. Some pics starting here at http://philmetcalfe.zenfolio.com/p315285020/h3ea681a2#h3ea681a2

 

Glad its not just me about the over crowding does spoil the day its a fine balance between making a good amount off money and loosing people who have a poor experiance and dont come back mainly the none enthuisiast who turned up because it was a nice day.

 

Interesting points of view, I hope the below is helpful

Tornado was due to attend at Easter, but was unavailable due to its boiler problems. The A1 trust promised to make it available at a later date, and as I understand it this is a date they could make

It was raised on the SVRA forum earlier this year and a director commented it will be considered. A downside however is that it would significantly increase the volunteer turns required, particularly with the overnight running. For example, there are 7 signal boxes alone to man and while you can pull in everyone for one weekend, two in a row might be just too much. As a first thought it was suggested that a two-weekend gala might then mean it would have to be weighed against overnight running. I would reiterate this is not a SVR response, just one man's immediate thought as to the practicalities.

A couple of further points, 828 is not a big engine and is limited to, I think, 6 coaches? Also, the length of the crossing loop at Hampton Loade limits crossing with long trains (IIRC it's 8 without special arrangements) and the loop could only be extended with costly embankment strengthening.

I do not speak for the SVR, by the way.

Patrick

 

It struck me that it was the low frequency of through trains that was the cause of the overcrowding - with those through trains the only option for travelling northwards beyond Arley or southwards beyond Hampton Loade, but if you can't pass them at Highley and can't pass them at Hampton Loade either then I can see why they are infrequent

 

Sorry, the point I was trying to make is that trains can pass at HL (and are doing), but it's not as simple as adding more and more coaches to increase capacity. If you add a ninth coach it doesn't fit in the loop, so has to be worked carefully - I'm sure someone here will give a better description!

You're right about Highley though, it's locked so that trains cannot pass. A train from, say, the south has to de-train its passengers and be shunted into the yard to be passed by a southbound train, and then be shunted back into the platform.

More generally, it's a feature of the SVR is that you can have more trains at the south of the line, hence the Kidder-Arley shuttles, than the northern section which (IIRC) is a maximum of a service every 45 minutes.

Patrick

 

well last day of this wonderful gala even the night trains had a few on the watched then out of the window of 6024 surpport coach; king running very well as are the other loco's hope you all have a great day;


all the best
jane;

 

Some scenes from Friday and Saturday of the Gala. Thanks, as ever, to all involved for making it all possible;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62aSicvke2E

 

i suppose thats what you have to expect from a gala, and shows success on the SVR they always pull off a gd show in autumn, do you reckon 828 was the main attraction as the king and tornado can be viewed with ease on mainline trips etc?


Going to Bewdley in 30 mins wish me luck

 

My Phots from Friday & Saturday and the vast majority are night shots, making a welcome and challenging change for me: http://www.flickr.com/photos/61102738@N08/sets/72157627746795406/

I think the Caley was the main draw in my opinion, the King & Tornado were no strangers to the Valley.

I think the SVR can expect good things takings wise from what i've heard, people were constantly saying it was the busiest Friday they had known at a gala and as for Saturday, every train i was on was full and standing apart from the overnight/early morning runs, long may it continue.

 

Well done SVR for a great gala. Here's some footage from Friday & Saturday

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw_LxZItZGo

 

The only "fallout" I forsee from this Gala is that there were families with young children there who had clearly come to see Tornado ( I think Tornado has taken over the pulling power of Flying Scotsman for the time being) and said families would have found it rather uncomfortable returning from say Highley yesterday afternoon wedged with their kids in crowded corridors. Can get a bit frightening for youngsters.
I appreciate that for the SVR this was the only available "slot" to have Tornado briefly, but it does mean that a Gala with 828 etc for enthusiasts, and Tornado for the general public ( not excusively so in either case) means the coming together of considerable numbers of visitors over a short space of time. Bear in mind also that Highley, for the Engine House is a popular destination now, and yet has a platform that only holds about four or five coaches, which makes access and egress from crowded trains a slow process.
No doubt great for income, but will it put some families off returning to the SVR again in the future? I dont know.

 

I agree the point i had made previously in the thread as why it may have not been good to have tornado at the gala. I was there with 2 children and we could not travel on 828 as it was packed solid standing only.
Highley is a problem the time for the train to unload and load is long and lots of people jammed onto a small platform a auto coach service from highley may be a solution or a gala with less attractions to keep the numbers of people there to manageble levels.
As how many familys standing with small children are going to return and they are the group that fund the railway.

 

My photos from a very enjoyable day on the lineside at yesterday's gala. The lighting wasn't as good as I'd hoped for but at least it stayed dry. 828 looked superb coming up Eardington Bank, was definitely worth the trip just to see her!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davestubbings/sets/72157627747657530/

 

Austin, thanks for 20 minutes of beautifully shot and well presented footage. Absolute pleasure to view in its entirety - well done!

 

Seems that 828 and 4160 have both failed during the day but not aware of the extent of the problems.

 

The Autumn Steam Gala held at the Severn Valley Railway, these following videos were taken on the
Saturday.

812 Class No.828 (0-6-0)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFNIhnAJhHQ

A1 Pacific class (4-6-2) No.60163 Tornado
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qX0_k8EChcc

9FClass (2-10-0) No.92212
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SAAv78U6n2k

GWRKing Class (4-6-0) No.6024 'King Edward I'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFQRR4anutU

GWRManor Class (4-6-0) No.7812 Erlestoke Manor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHDTurLfHTE

GWRClass 2800 (2-8-0) No.2857
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaakHsKteKk

GWR5101 Class 'Large Prairie' (2-6-2T) No.4160
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXXYUsLxis8

Enjoy the videos.